| aa |
It was then in between songs, that Rebecca sat down behind Vincent and Catherine, leaned forward to excitedly whisper, “Father was wonderful…don’t you agree?”
In accord, they both said they thought so too, and then Vincent confided, “There was a moment of angst however...”
To which Rebecca softly shared, “I know! When he didn't come out after Mary first introduced him, well, I was afraid he was back in the pantry again, and you were going to have to shove him out!”
Catherine quietly giggled at Rebecca's comment, and then noted, "Well Jacob is a wonderful story teller."
To which Rebecca in agreement said, “Yes…he does have the talent for it.”
Rebecca then smiled appreciatively at Vincent and whispered, “Well, cheers to you and Mary for this night. I have never seen Father more assured or so happy.”
With that said, Catherine looked over and saw Jacob settled in next to Peter and her Dad, proudly accepting kudos from his two buddies.
With fondness, Catherine continued to watch Jacob, and as the light illuminated off his face, she thought it was just as Rebecca said, he did look assured and happy.
Catherine then imagined, as Jacob sat amongst this amiable gathering, and listened to these beautiful children's voices, he must be very proud of his world…
Then totally unexpectedly, Jacob turned and looked at Catherine, almost as if she had called out his name. And for a moment, Catherine nervously shifted her eyes, not wanting Jacob to know she had been watching him! But then as she realized Jacob had a hint of a smile, she looked back at him, and reciprocated in kind, with the warmest of smiles of her own.
They both then turned to the children, but both…for a moment felt the warmness as they reflected on their new found relationship. Catherine thought back on how much she had shared with him, before she knew, he was Vincent’s Father, and Jacob thought how dear this beautiful heartbroken girl was, when he met her, not yet knowing she was Vincent's Catherine.
Oh yes, they do share a history, albeit a short one…but in that length of time they shared much, and now…they could both say, their friendship, was a genuine one.
As Catherine continued to listen to the children, she felt Vincent tighten his interlinked arm with hers, causing her to look up at him. Though he didn’t say anything, she could tell by the look in his eye, he had witnessed the sweet exchange between her, and his father. So it was there, enhanced by the warmth of the Christmas season, Catherine never felt happier.
As the children finished their song, their emissary Kipper stepped forward, to ask William to join them in singing the next song, saying, "We want William to sing with us too! Hey will ya William?”
Although William felt extremely humbled by their invitation, he declined, because of being caught so off guard, and because he was holding baby Lukey. But after much prodding by everyone, he finally said, "All right, but me and Lukey are a team, so he's gotta come with me."
And so with applause from the peanut gallery, William walked forward with Lukey in his arms to join the children.
Looking around at the children, he gruffly asked, “Ok you got us up here, now tell me what are we gonna sing?”
To which Rolley suggested, “The children rehearsed “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…is that all right?”
Taking advantage of his captive crowd, William jokingly said, “If it has anything to do with food, you know I'm in!”
Rolley allowed time for the laughter to die down, before he poised himself, and directed them to begin.
Everyone sat spellbound, as they listened to them, because William’s seasoned voice along with the children’s sweet sound, was beautiful.
As one song blended into the next, the concert continued until the repertoire had been exhausted.
And so after the concert concluded, Mary then stepped forth, and wrapped up the evening by saying, “Thank you Rolley, children, and little Lukey..."
And because Mary realized this was a time for graciousness, she then added, "...and yes, of course, you too William! Thank all of you for sharing your talents with us. Oh my! What a talented bunch we have...and what a treat that was!”
Mary then cleared her throat as she continued, “And last but not least...Father….thank you for telling us the story of The First Tunnel Christmas. And because your Vivacious Vibrant Vocables, invoked evocative Visualizations, Validating your Vivid Verbiage as an expressive Vehicle to convey what it was like then...serving those of us who were not here...to feel as if we were. So Father because I have run out of adjectives, nouns and verbs which host the letter "V"... I now would like to applaud you, err wait a moment, I would like to revere you...in fact...We all revere you!”
Everyone clapped, and because of Mary's wittiness, there was some levity as well!
So as everyone looked toward Jacob, he at first humbly waved off the attention, before he ultimately ended up bowing, and said, Well I thank you, and...ahem, I Venerate all of you as well!"
And after the chuckles and accolades died down, Mary added to the festiveness of the night, by welcoming everyone to enjoy a last go round of refreshments.
As everyone had their mugs refilled, William too had a chance to accept more compliments about his pleasing singing voice.
When Charles, Jacob, and Peter walked up with their mugs in hand, it was Peter who spoke first saying, “I had forgotten you sang William. Good job ole’ man! Did you take singing lessons as a kid?”
As William ladled, he explained where and when he honed his talents by reflectively saying, “Lessons? Oh no…we couldn’t afford lessons…but I lived next to St. Bartholomew's in Elmhurst…and as a boy, I could hear the choir, and when they practiced, the singing would draw me there. So because Sister Madesta kept seeing this chubby awkward kid lurking around week after week, she eventually invited me to join the choir. Well because I was so shy, it took a bit of coaxing, but once I set my self consciousness aside, singing in the choir was freeing, and the most rewarding time of my childhood…yeah, singing gave me so much, and singing in the choir made me “A” somebody.”
Intently listening to William, Jacob regretfully inquired, “Your singing used to bring a lot of joy around here...I wonder why you quit?”
To which William shyly looked downward and shared, “You know how it was Jacob, we got busy, and my cooking skills were more crucial than my singing talents, and I guess the fun stuff just took a back burner to other things…things that had to get done.”
And then thoughtfully, William dreamily added, “But I gotta tell ya, tonight singing with the kids under Rolley’s direction, brought it all back, all the fond memories of those ole' choir days.”
As if issuing a decree, Jacob said, “We must make it a point then…you WILL make time for these pleasurable talents you have as well. You work far too hard around here William, not to have some fun too.”
Hearing those words of acknowledgment, from Jacob, the man William admired most in the world, caused him to say with heartfelt gratitude, “Well I sure appreciate it Jacob!”
To which Jacob gave him a nod in reply, and then Peter added, “Jacob is right, you should sing more. It’s not only good for your soul, but its good for your health too!”
And because Rolley overheard this whole conversation, he suggested, "Hey William, maybe you can help me with the kids choir, we could tag team!"
Because of the fact singing in a choir was right up William's alley, he agreeably said, "Hey, I would like that Rolley! Sign me up!"
And so after the two discussed a few details, Jacob took front and center, as he told those gathered around, and said how thankful he was to share this special night with
all of his dear friends.
Well it wasn't long before Catherine and Vincent broke away to speak and sit amongst the children. They wanted to compliment them too, on the wonderful concert they put on.
And after accepting the kudos, one or more of the children told Catherine they were so happy she could come tonight.
Warmed by these sweet children, Catherine expressed that there was no where else she would rather be.
Meantime, as Natalie settled in on Vincent’s lap, Little Lukey crawled over, wanting up on his lap too, so of course Vincent welcomed him onto his lap also. It was then Catherine looked over at little Joseph, and proudly noted, “Oh, and I gotta say, nice solo Joseph.”
To which Joseph matter-of-factly said, “Yeah, well Rolley said since my voice hasn’t changed yet, I can still get the high notes. So he said I HAD to do it! Rolley says that Kipper's voice sounds like a squeaky old door right now.”
And then, as if on cue, Kipper demonstrated, by singing do re mi scale, and when the high note was unreachable for him, Kipper himself volunteered, “See?”
Catherine smiled at Vincent as she tried to stifle a giggle, as Kipper continued to say, “Rolley says even though I can’t get the girlie high note like Joseph can, I have a deeper voice, and that is good too.”
Upon hearing the "Girlie" note comment, Joseph spouted, “Rolley didn’t say it was girlie to sing high, he said it just showed I had range!”
Just as Kipper was about to respond, Rolley and Mouse entered the group, and Rolley suspiciously asked, “Did I hear my name?”
In reply, Vincent relayed, “Indeed you did! It would seem as if your word is held in very high regard amongst the children, and you are a quoted man tonight.”
With a widening of his eyes, he fearfully said, “Hmm, I better watch what I say then!”
In a more serious tone, Vincent next told him, “Rolley, music is such a gift, and because you are willing to share with us, well the tunnels are a much happier place because of it.”
Feeling bolstered by Vincent's compliment, Rolley replied, "Thanks Vincent...I guess music does put you in a good mood."
And because Mouse recalled a few instances from the past, he made a face and said, “Music doesn't always put Rolley in a good mood. Sometimes it makes you mad at me!”
Feeling self conscious now by Mouse's statement, Rolley hesitantly asked, "What do you mean?"
Happy to share, he explained, “Heard Rolley playing the piano and cuz you are missing a note, you say Darn that Mouse! But I didn't take it!”
Laughing at Mouse’s’ interpretation, Rolley explained, “No Mouse…I don't think you took the note, I just think you forgot it!"
Rolley then confidentially explained to Vincent and Catherine, "When Mouse brought the piano down here, he left one of the strings behind."
Rolley then amusedly added, "Well because of the missing string, Mouse is right, I am missing a note! And so, I get frustrated sometimes when I play."
To which Mouse tattled, "Rolley frustrated a lot lately!"
With a nod, Rolley explained, "Guess I am, I am working on a song, and wish I had that missing note!”
With a better understanding of the problem, Mouse happily offered, “Maybe I can get you one up top!”
Not wanting to encourage any more pilfering, both Vincent and Rolley urgently told Mouse, he had helped enough already!
And with that said, Catherine discretely gathered information from Rolley what string was missing exactly, and without saying anything more, decided she would secretly look into getting him the string he needed.
Meanwhile, Mama Olivia realized Lukey was missing again, and so after looking about, she spotted him with Vincent. Dashing over, Olivia glanced up at Vincent and then toward Catherine, as she self-consciously explained, "I have to get used to the fact Lukey is crawling now, and have to keep a better eye on him! You all must think I am a terrible Mom!"
To which Catherine said, "Not at all Olivia...you have a happy, robust fearless little boy here, and that proves you are doing everything right..."
With that said, Lukey reached out to Catherine, and this time instead of hesitating, Olivia handed the little guy over, happy to share her bundle of joy with her.
Well sadly, the evening had died down, and so Jamie, Laura and Brooke gathered the children as it was time for them to retire.
To be continued
Chapter Ten
: }
| gg |
| 1 |
| Destiny of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Nine Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire ______________________________________________ |
| 1 |
